2020 Virtual Grand National: the runners, the odds, the verdict

1 Tiger Roll

Virtual National and dual Grand National winner; needs to be high on the shortlist

Odds: 5-1

2 Bristol De Mai

Decorated Grade 1 chaser; only just stays the Gold Cup trip, so stamina is the doubt

Odds: 20-1

3 Aso

Former Ryanair second who has not convinced in stamina terms over 3m; doubtful stayer

Odds: 66-1

4 Elegant Escape

Dyed-in-the-wool stayer, solid record in handicaps; will still be rolling at the finish

Odds: 20-1

5 Anibale Fly

Loads of course form, real and virtual; season has been all about Aintree; each-way player

Odds: 20-1

6 Top Ville Ben

Excels in smaller fields on softer ground; mark looks on the high side; others preferred

Odds: 50-1

7 Beware The Bear

Tricky one for a simulator to get right, but will be a danger to all if still there two out

Odds: 33-1

8 Peregrine Run

Galway Plate fourth; stamina to prove, while mark looks plenty high enough

Odds: 66-1

9 Jett

Improved in the last year or so, but looks exposed now and steps right up in trip

Odds: 50-1

10 Alpha Des Obeaux

Becher third off this mark; likely to give a bold sight, but other make a stronger case

Odds: 25-1

11 Total Recall

Bounced back in Thyestes Chase last time; Paul Townend takes over on 2018 third

Odds: 40-1

12 The Storyteller

Returned to form over hurdles at Cheltenham last month; mark and stamina both doubt

Odds: 40-1

13 Magic Of Light

Second in the real 2019 National; return to Aintree, of a fashion, needs to have a big effect

Odds: 18-1

14 Talkischeap

Unexposed and likely to stay, he is an each-way player

Odds: 25-1

15 Yala Enki

Likeable mudlark who will likely find conditions against him; spring record reads 2P541667

Odds: 28-1

16 Ballyoptic

Stays forever; jumping the concern, but form a stronger consideration here and he has it

Odds: 25-1

17 Burrows Saint

Won last year's Irish National; the form pick out of Willie Mullins' four runners

Odds: 12-1

18 Definitly Red

This 11yo is as good as ever and has been given a chance by the handicapper

Odds: 14-1

19 Sub Lieutenant

Last year's Topham second, but he is 1 from 14 at 3m+ so stamina is a big doubt

Odds: 33-1

20 Ok Corral

Talented, but quirky and would have next to no chance of staying in the real world

Odds: 25-1

21 Tout Est Permis

No win since last Jan and recent 3rd came off much lower hurdles mark; others more solid

Odds: 80-1

22 Vintage Clouds

Bold-jumping fifth in this last year, but since bombed twice over the real Aintree fences

Odds: 33-1

23 Crievehill

Improvement in autumn has tailed off in recent starts and he has questions to answer

Odds: 66-1

24 Lake View Lad

Failed to fire in real/virtual versions in 2019 and quiet prep unlikely to count for much

Odds : 50-1

25 Jury Duty

Last year's 3rd but the real world has not been kind to him since; best watched

Odds: 40-1

26 Pleasant Company

Second in both real and virtual Nationals, but 12 now and hard to see him playing a big part

Odds: 28-1

27 Acapella Bourgeois

Late bloomer who has taken a similar route to this race as last year's winner; interesting

Odds: 33-1

28 Shattered Love

Form has tailed off in the last 15 months and stamina is a big doubt

Odds: 66-1

29 Any Second Now

Stays 3m2f but campaigned over shorter; that subtlety might be lost on the simulator

Odds: 10-1

30 Potters Corner

Midlands/Welsh Grand National winner in 2019; ticks a lot of boxes

Odds: 18-1

31 Dounikos

Struggled since 3m4f win at Punchestown last February

Odds: 50-1

32 Kildisart

Cheltenham 2nd shows he has the form if computer overlooks his chancey jumping; dark horse

Odds: 50-1

33 Death Duty

A long time since he was a Grade 1-winning novice and loads to prove in stamina terms

Odds: 50-1

34 Ramses Des Teillee

Former Welsh National 2nd but unusual route to this race unlikely to be a positive

Odds: 66-1

35 Valtor

Can make the handicapping case but he is 11 and others have fewer questions to answer

Odds: 66-1

36 Saint Xavier

Useful, but no better in 4 starts in Britiain; hard to fancy

Odds: 66-1

37 Warriors Tale

Would have been a player in the virtual Topham over 2m5f, but not here

Odds: 80-1

38 Double Shuffle

Smart 3m chaser, but plainly failed to stay in the 2017 Grand National

Odds: 100-1

39 Kimberlite Candy

Becher second and Classic Chase winner on two runs this winter; ticks all the right boxes

Odds: 16-1

40 Walk In The Mill

Excellent Aintree record, including 4th in 2019 National; an obvious each-way candidate

Odds: 16-1

The Verdict

In a race that fits trends more than its real-life rival, KIMBERLITE CANDY could be the answer. Acapella Bourgeois is second choice
Keith Melrose

Card and form

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